Mistakes of the Left Wing - Zinoviev and Kamanev

Switching alliances - First allied with Stalin, however disliked his idea of Socialism in One Country so switched support to Trotsky

Quarelled amongst themselves - Leaving left disunited

Underestimated Stalin - Called him a 'Grey Blur' and 'Comrade Card Index'

Did not allow publication of Lenin's Testament

3 of 5

Mistakes of the Right Wing

Agreed not to publicise Lenin's Testament

Bukharin:
Too intelluctual and calm

Underestimated Stalin - (Allied with Stalin)

Gradualist approach to Socialism - supporting the peasants to prosper...
However, he lacked a powerbase which would allow his ideas to be carried through
(Stalin's powerbase was too strong against his)
1928 his ideas were defeated by Stalin's who advocated Collectivisation